Renault international expansion plan to 2027: eight new models and Kardian

Renault has recently unveiled its international expansion plan (outside Europe) through to 2027, covering eight new models, including the new Kardian, a compact SUV that will launch this offensive.

To underline Renault’s commitment to this strategy, it is worth noting that the investment totals roughly €3 billion, in addition to the Renaulution plan already under way.

Renault currently operates in 80 countries outside Europe, markets which account for 43% of the French brand’s global sales. In 2022, this represented 634,124 vehicles.

The company now intends not only to raise those figures, but also to substantially increase the profit generated by every vehicle sold: by 2027, its target is for profit per unit to be twice the 2019 level.

To achieve this, Renault plans to streamline its platform offering in markets outside Europe and consolidate its model range around two new modular platforms.

Eight new models by 2027

The two new platforms will underpin eight new models for global markets by 2027, five of which will be positioned in the C and D segments.

The aforementioned Kardian, the only model revealed so far, will sit lower down in the B segment. Of the two remaining vehicles, at least one will be a larger model in the E segment, above the Espace.

Few details have yet been released regarding the body styles. However, judging by the small silhouettes displayed by the brand during the presentation of this strategy, one appears to be a hatchback and five will be SUVs.

There will also be a commercial vehicle and a pick-up, already previewed by the Niagara concept (see the gallery below).

In terms of powertrains, Renault aims for one in every three cars sold outside Europe in 2027 to be hybrid or fully electric.

Partnership with Geely in South Korea

As mentioned above, the French manufacturer intends to base this global-market model offensive on two new platforms. The first stems from a Renault and Geely partnership for South Korea.

It is the familiar CMA (Compact Modular Architecture), a platform already used by several brands within Geely’s portfolio, including Volvo, Polestar and Lynk & Co. It forms the basis of models such as the Volvo XC40 and Polestar 2.

For Renault, it will enable the introduction of hybrid-powered models available with either front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

Models based on this platform will be produced at the Renault Korea Motors factory in Busan, South Korea.

What about the second platform?

The second architecture will be called the Renault Group Modular Platform. It is the basis for the compact Kardian and, as the French manufacturer explains, will be highly flexible: it will accommodate body styles measuring between four and five metres in length, with three different wheelbase dimensions.

In addition, the platform will support petrol, LPG, flex-fuel - widely used in Brazil, for example - mild-hybrid and full-hybrid powertrains, while also allowing front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations.

Models built on this platform will be manufactured at the French group’s factories in India, Morocco, Turkey and Latin America.